Poor Driving

A quick report three instances of rude and anti-social behaviour on the cycle commute to work this morning.

Firstly a beige coloured mini tried to undertake me on the roundabout where the A20 crosses the South Circular.  As I was remaining on the A20 I was in the middle lane approaching the roundabout and headed across the roundabout keeping looking over my shoulder on both sides to be aware of cars moving around me.  The mini coming from behind me was accelerating towards me and trying to squeeze on inside and the driver frustrated at the potential delay caused by me being ahead of them sounded the horn.  What possible benefit was there in doing this?  After the roundabout the A20 returns to being two lanes and the car then moved over to the outside lane for the right turn towards Kidbrooke and joined a stationary queue of traffic.  As I went past the car in the left lane the driver steadfastly kept her gaze ahead so as to avoid any eye contact.

Next up was a White Transit van that suddenly changed lane on the A20 at Lewisham looking to move from the outside lane into the left lane.  No indication and just driven across in to the gap - excpet it was not a gap as I was there.  I alerted them to my existence and continued use of the lane by banging on the side of the van, I had no need to lean over as I was about six inches from the van at the stage and had nowhere else to go.  The van straightened its line and as I went past three builders looked over towards me however no words were exchanged.

Finally 'the classic' as soon as I have gone past you I will pull over.  The road across the A2 at Deptford goes from 2 lanes to one at a small roundabout then back to 2 lanes.  Frequently in both directions drivers using the outside lane treat the road user on the inside with contempt as they move across the line of the roundabout.  This morning the small silver car overtook me within about 3 meters of the roundabout and proceeded to move across my line as once I was out of sight I no longer existed to this driver.  Again I had to remind the driver that I did still exist as they had not completed their overtaking.

Lastly I want to complain about the recently started but not yet completed road resurfacing works on Grove Road.  For many months this road has been in appalling condition and I was relived and delighted at the resurfacing smooth tarmac and pothole free at last!  My disappointment has quickly returned with the installation of a horrendous traffic calming pedestrian crossing just after the roundabout with Old Ford Road only really suitable for people with mountain bikes to cross.  Also at the other end the unnecessary narrowing of the road outside the Royal Inn by hugely extending the pavement so that inevitably cars will speed along the straight section of Grove Road and any unfortunate cyclist who happens to be at the point where the road narrows will have a car on top of them.  This narrowing is blind for drivers until they re on top of the cyclist as it is just after the bend in the road.  Currently this is also a mountain bike section only as there are three layers of tarmac with different levels and a loose chippings section to negotiate.

A typical day on the bike!